Mark McGwire Admits to Steroid Use

The air of suspicion around Mark McGwire and his use of steroids during his run at the home run record has been settled. The newly hired St. Louis Cardinals hitting coach came clean today in a statement released to the Associated Press. "I used (steroids) on occasion...including during the 1998 season. I wish I had never touched steroids." McGwire also admits to using human growth hormone (HGH) while recovering from injuries in 1993.

Big Mac was summoned to a congressional hearing in 2005 to testify on the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in Major League Baseball. He repeatedly deflected questions that honed in on his personal use, stating at the time he didn't want to talk about the past.

McGwire's confession comes in what's been dubbed the "Steroid Era" in baseball, where a number of high-profile players including Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds admit to doping during their Major League careers.

Some question McGwire's rational for disclosing his use of PEDs considering how much time has passed since he was directly associated with the game and other big name athletes have since been roped into PED scandals. "After all this time, I want to come clean. I was not in a position to do that five years ago in my Congressional testimony, but now I feel an obligation to discuss this and to answer questions about it."